Category: Australia

One day a few years back, I was visiting a friend up in Canberra. He told me he was going to take me out on a whole-day adventure. I assumed we were going to explore the town, eat out, you know, the regular stuff. Next thing I knew, we were miles away from the city, headed God knows where. Long story short, it turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life.

The outback bewildered me and the small towns made me fall in love with their charm. I decided I was going to discover all the beautiful gems that my own state had hidden from me all of those years – so I rented a free car and devoted the whole month exploring the Victoria’s hidden gems. Here’s what I discovered.

Kilcunda

Just a 25 to 30 minute drive from Cowes on Philip Island lies a beautiful town of Kilcunda. Actually, “town” is a strong word, better a road with a beautiful beach, several houses, shops and motels, and a sunset view to die for. This is a perfect place for a daily picnic and stroll down the beach, even spending the night, like me, at the delightful Kilcunda Cottage before you head out to another destination in the morning.

Bemm River

This one is a bit ways away but trust me, it’ll be worth it. I arrived early in the morning because I’ve read online about the wonders that surrounded the Bemm river – but nothing could have prepared me for the natural beauties that were waiting for me there. The resort had beautiful accommodation and I stayed for a whole week at one of bungalows at the Cosy Nook Flats. The place even had a caravan park, so I had a place to leave my ride.

I spent the week exploring my surroundings, always losing my way and stumbling upon little secluded oasis where I could just stay for hours on end, inhaling the ocean, listening to the nature. The river itself is mostly surrounded by meadows perfect if you have a dog to play with all day.

Snobs Creek Falls

The rushing waters of Snob Creek Falls are definitely going to mesmerize you as much as they are bound to frighten you. When you step onto the viewing platform, you are left at the the mercy of the water, which can be quite cathartic to a degree. This was a brief, but an unforgettable visit.

Kooyoora State Park

I went briefly to the Kooyoora State Park to try and see its numerous sites and natural wonders, such as the Melville Caves at Brenanah. You should definitely drive through the park at sunset, just before the full moon, when the animals start coming out and the path starts to get lit up by the surrounding nature.

Marlo

Just a 50 minute car ride from the Bemm River lies the beautiful town of Marlo. I actually had no idea what I was about to stumble upon, it could have been just a house and a dog for all I knew, but I decided I had to find that out for myself. Now, Marlo is something truly different. It does have a lot to offer despite its size, and once you see the beauties that lie ahead when approaching the town, you’ll know it will take several days to explore it properly, so you better book yourself a budget accommodation in time.

These are the places I visited on my autumn adventure, with plenty more to be discovered soon. And I can’t wait! With all of the amazing sightseeing opportunities and accommodations that Victoria has to offer, why not grab yourself a free rental car as well and start your autumn adventure of a lifetime?

 

Image credits:

Featured

Kilcunda

Bemm River

Snobs Creek Falls

Kooyoora

Marlo

 

The spectacular drive between Darwin and Broome, also known as the Savannah Way, imposes itself as one of the best outback road trip adventures in Down Under. From crocs sunbathing in gorges and palm trees sprouting from red cliffs, to canoeing down the Ord River and endless bird-watching opportunities, this route will offer a plentitude of memorable moments.

Darwin to Katherine
The journey starts with a half-day drive along the Stuart Highway from Darwin to the outback gem of Katherine. You’ll get a chance to feast your eyes on the rugged landscapes, breathtaking waterfalls and lush green gorges of Nitmiluk National Park. You should definitely take a boat or canoe tour through Katherine Gorge or fly above the stunning series of gorges in a helicopter.

If you are interested in Aboriginal culture, travelling south to Manyallaluk and spending some time with the locals is a must, stopping by to marvel at limestone Cutta Cutta Caves. When it comes to accommodation, you can stay overnight in the township of Katherine or even camp at the very gorge if you are a more adventurous type.

Katherine to Timber Creek

Driving down the Victoria Highway, you should turn off for the spectacular Flora River Nature Park, where you can canoe past tufa dams and lush vegetation, in addition to walking down savannah woodland and floodplain. Further down the same highway you should check out the immense Gregory National Park for stunning views during the Escarpment Lookout Walk or some fine examples of rock art offered by Joe Creek Walk.

Cruising down the Victoria River at sunset will allow you to spot countless boab trees and saltwater crocodiles. If you want to see hundreds of these amazing reptiles up close, pay a visit to the Coolibah Crocodile Farm. In the southern part of this amazing park, you can drive the rugged Bullita Stock Route (about 90 km) or walk to the Limestone Gorge. You can sleep at Timber Creek or camp at the Bullita Homestead.

Timber Creek to Kununurra

Continuing your journey to Kununurra, after many kilometers of boab trees, you’ll find the Bullo River Station, spreading on roughly half million acres, where you can muster cattle, fish or simply rest for a while. Keep River National Park will welcome you just before crossing the Western Australia border. Here you can see the Rainbow Serpent on rock at Nganalam and Aboriginal rock art at the Keep River Gorge.

On the other side of the border, you’ll hit Kununurra, where you should cruise the Ord River and huge artificial Lake Argyle, or fly over the vast Argle Diamond Mine, beehive-like mounds of the Bungle Bungles or splendid Mitchell Falls. Discover fabulous scenic walking tracks in the Mirima National Park and enjoy a bird-watching feast at Lily Creek Lagoon.

Kununurra to Halls Creek

Heading towards Halls Creek, you can detour either through Wyndham, the northernmost town in Western Australia, or the El Questro Station. Further down south in Bungle you’ll arrive at the Purnululu National Park, a World Heritage site, as well as the Bungle Range with its towering striped rocks.

Following the Domes Walk will lead you to Cathedral Gorge, in the park’s southern part, while you hike your way to Echidna Chasm and Mini Palms Gorge in the north. Halls Creek, an old gold prospecting town, is also an interesting stop, as here you can swim in springs and gorges, and also pay a visit to Wolfe Creek Crater, left by a meteorite, nearly 50 m deep and 1 km wide.

Halls Creek to Broome

On the last leg of your journey, Fitzroy Crossing is a good starting point for cruising Geikie Gorge, accompanied by Bunuba Aboriginal guides, or burrowing through the mystic underground passage of Tunnel Creek. Going to Derby, you’ll inevitably pass the Boab Prison Tree, reportedly used as a prisoner lock-up in the past. On the Derby’s town wharf, you can see tides as high as 10 metres or fly over the famous horizontal waterfalls in Talbot Bay.

Crossing the Fitzroy River will get you into Broome, where you can visit Chinatown to explore its exotic pearling heritage or take a relaxing sunset camelback ride down Cable Beach. Lighthouse-tipped Cape Leveque awaits you further north, but make sure you stop at the Beagle Bay Aboriginal community to see the Sacred Heart Church with its mother-of-pearl altar. Finally, Roebuck Bay is where you’ll find the world famous Broome Bird Observatory for the ultimate bird-watching experience.

Exploring the Savannah Way offers you a unique chance to see many natural beauties that the outback has to offer. With this in mind, how about getting a free transfer car and setting off on a truly fascinating spring road trip?

Images:

Katherine Gorge

Gregory National Park

Kununurra

Bullo River Station

Bungle Bungles

Purnululu

Wolfe Creek Crater

Fitzroy Crossing

Tunnel Creek

Boab Prison Tree

The city of bridges, most awe-inspiring skyline and a melting pot of tourist activities. Ask any Sydney-sider and he will proudly say he lives in the most beautiful city in the entire world. Splashed by the great Pacific Ocean on the right and fenced with a massive Blue Mountains range on the left, this place truly has it all, and is as such on everyone’s bucket list.

While this is something you could read in any other tourist guide, we’re here to take you on a walkabout and show you some of the more and less mainstream places us locals really hand out at on a regular day off.

Head Straight to the Beach

You didn’t travel all that way not to walk barefoot on one of the most beautiful sandy beaches in the world – but careful now, Bondi beach is not just about lying in the sun, working on your tan. Oh no, if you want a true Down Under experience, you have to dip your toes into the fresh ocean water. And not just to swim, but fight the big waves that come crashing into the shore. Still, if you’re looking for a secluded corner to gather your thoughts, there’s no better place than Milk Beach, right above the Hermit Point.

Climb the Tower Eye

Maybe walking through the overcrowded streets can make you feel like this is just another jam-packed American-like city; that’s why every local will send you straight to the Observation Deck at the Sydney Tower Eye, as it gives you a bird’s eye view of the place. Standing exactly 268 meters above the ground will make you feel like you have Sydney right there, at the palm of your hand. Furthermore, if you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, be sure to book a table at a 360 Bar and Dining, restaurant known for its spectacular view of… well, everything.

Keep Your Feet Firm on the Ground

If heights are not your cup of tea, Sydney boasts a number of exciting walking tours along the harbor. You can start from Potts Point, stop at the Royal Botanic Gardens, a heaven for city wildlife. Then move on to The Rocks, this city’s oldest neighbourhoods, and continue on to Tumbalong Park. Yet, you will need to refresh yourself in a modern Blackbird cafe, known for its vibrant atmosphere and delicious Australian dishes (and the best Oreo cheesecake ever!).

Take a Ferry Boat Ride

After this little break, walk to Darling Harbour and hop on a ferry ride which enables you to see the harbour from a completely different perspective. From Sydney Theatre Company, Opera House and Harbour Bridge, straight to the famous Taronga Zoo. This harbour-side flora and fauna attraction represents a home to 340 animal species and endless photo opportunities.

Go Out in Style

Admiring the Opera House architecture from the quay or a cruise ship is one thing, but getting the tickets to a live show would be an out-of-this-world experience. There’s always something interesting on the repertoire, no matter the genre you prefer.

However, as we understand you cannot forget about the price tag, instead of the Opera House, we could direct you towards the Museum of Sydney on Bridge Street – a modern building preserving some of the most ancient archaeological findings of the continent.

Stay Out in the Fresh Air

Although Sydney’s wining and dining scene should not be missed out on, every local will recommend taking an afternoon off to visit Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. Escape the sound of a busy restaurant and hectic traffic, pack up a picnic basket, a couple of tuna fish sandwiches and a bottle of wine; place your plaid blanket on the grass and enjoy, jet again, an outstanding view of the harbor. You know what else Sydney-siders do when they come here? Play a little count the weddings game, because that’s how many happy couples you’ll see passing by.

Be Young and Wild and Free

Certainly, Sydney is one of the most sophisticated places in the world, but it doesn’t mean you can’t loosen up a bit, go out and have the night of your life. What locals do is start with drinks in Darlinghurst and head to one of the night clubs in George Street. From the 80 Proof on the south, to Star Bar at the corner of Wilmot Street, you can dance the night away with the music of your choice – there’s a little bit of something for everyone.

So… What’s it going to be first?     

Peter Minkoff is a travel writer at VoiceBoks and MediaPA magazine from NZ. Beside writing he worked as a travel journalist for many publications around UK & AU. Follow Peter on Twitter for more tips.

If you’ve decided to visit Australia in summer and have a trip of the lifetime, cruising across it in a campervan is probably the best way to explore this marvelous country. Once you set the dates for your visit, you need to take a look at the options for a road-trip that might prove to be an unforgettable experience for you and your companions.

As you know, Australia is a vast country, offering every landscape you can imagine, which means it’s only up to you to decide what kind of treat you’re going to be served. Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting routes before you get your free campervan and hit the road.   

Great Alpine Road

All the way from Wangaratta to amazing Gippsland Lakes you have a great opportunity to enjoy the most amazing and breathtaking scenery that Victoria has to offer. If you’re looking for mountain ranges and valleys, stunning dense forest or vineyards covering hillslopes, this road is for you.

Although you can enjoy it all-year-round, summer is particularly attractive, since you can go hiking, fishing, cycling or even camping along the route. What you have to be careful about is driving, since the road is quite narrow in parts. Needless to say, even though you plan to drive in the hottest season, you still need to have plenty of warm clothes, because the temperature can quickly change in the mountains.

Bass Highway

If your plan is to spend time in Tasmania, you should definitely consider heading along Bass Highway. It starts in Launceston and ends on the northwest coast. The most attractive features along the road are definitely the towns, such as Penguin, Burnie, Wynyard, Stanley and Smithton.

Yes, you’re right, there’s a town called Penguin and you can guess what kind of street installation dominates the place. So, if you have a thing for places with peculiar names or simply have children in tow, you’re bound to have a great time there.

Other renowned features include the juiciest and sweetest cherries in the world, according to the locals. Be prepared to pay a bit more than you’re probably used to, but everyone says you won’t regret it.

Grand Pacific Drive

If you think that your road trip along the Californian coast will never be matched by anything like it, think again. Fabulous views of the ocean, amazing stretches of sandy beaches and rainforests are just some to the treats you can enjoy if your destination is New South Wales.

If you make the right turns, you can visit the Royal National Park or one of the word-famous beaches along the way. One of the highlights on this route is a walk along the Sea Cliff Bridge, suspended in mid-air between Clifton and Coalcliff. From there you can see Sydney in the north and Wollongong in the south. This route also gives you an opportunity to take a break on one of secluded sandy beaches and treat yourself to fish and chips.

Alpine Way

Another option in New South Wales is this road leading from Snowy Mountains to Corryong in Victoria. This long and winding road passes through some parts which offer excellent opportunities for mountain biking and hiking. You’ll also see many people camping along the banks of the Thredbo River.

If you have a modern wireless trail camera with you, you might be able to capture some local wildlife, such as wallabies and wombats, since they are known to roam around the area. What you need to be careful about is the fact that a day pass for driving through Kosciuszko National Park costs $16 per vehicle. Also, it’s wise to get your fuel and food in Cooma, since the prices in Jindabyne are much higher, since it’s a popular tourist destination.

Landsborough Highway

If you’re looking to experience the outback, this might be just the thing for you, particularly the section between Longreach and Cloncurry. You can visit the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History, if you’re interested in fossils, or the Qantas hangar monument in Cloncurry.

As you can expect, one of the crucial things to remember is to bring enough water and fuel, since the temperatures can be extremely high and petrol stations are scarce in the outback.

Whichever option you choose, you are bound to have a whale of time. If you plan carefully enough, you might make the most of the offer along the road you take, which will probably be enough for everyone involved to remember this escapade for the rest of their lives.

Image credits:

Featured

Gippsland Lakes

Penguin

Coalcliff Rock Pools

Thredbo River

Cloncurry

Adelaide is undoubtedly the crown jewel of the South Australian tourism, with an array of attractions and activities suited for all family members. With everything from glorious beaches and food festivals to cultural and historical routes, you can hardly find a reason not to visit this amazing place as the spring is approaching. Take a look at our selection of family-proof springtime activities in this great city.

The “Postcard” Park

Let’s open up with one of the most affordable outing ideas – Elder Park. The “postcard” park nickname comes from the fact that the scenes from this park are found on almost every mailing-card picturing Adelaide. After all, who can complain about the sight of magnificent rotunda, and pastimes like Popeye ride and paddleboats. This site can be easily accessed via train with a nice water-view perk on the side. The park is ideal for strolls, runs, paddling or chilling in the shade with a beverage of choice.

Storybook Trail

If your kids are avid book readers, or even more so if they’re not, the Children’s Storybook Trail is ideal for a whole-family trip (dogs are welcome as well!). The journey includes a splendid walk through a set-up filled with plot elements of 12 different classic tales. This will allow the youngsters to experience the benefits of tactile learning as they interact with the environment by climbing, jumping, feeling and touching everything around them. Spark up their imagination with sights like Frog in a Log statue from The Water Hole book, Hobbit’s and fairy house, and scenes from Charlotte’s Web and The Jungle Book.

Haigh’s Chocolates Experience

There’s nothing that unites people quite as easy as their common love for chocolate. This confectionery outlet placed in the heart of Adelaide is the closest you can get to being a character in Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”.

A little patch of heaven on earth for chocolate lovers, Haigh’s Chocolates produces one of Australia’s finest cocoa-based delights. The location is a factory-store amalgam with a hint of historical flair that offers a variety of truffles and out-of-the-ordinary treats fresh off the line.

Excursion to Barossa Valley

As one of the three most famous wine regions in Australia (other being Hunter Valley in SW and Yarra Valley in Victoria), this location is definitely worth the trip for both the connoisseurs and enthusiasts. This unofficial wine capital can take pride in its production volume, as well as in variety and quality of their wine, Shiraz in particular.However, this place is not all about the grapevine tours. An entire family can taste the locally produced cheeses, fresh meats and pastries in one of their best restaurants.

Art Gallery of South Australia

To get a hefty dose of Adelaide-related culture, taking your family members to the Art Gallery of South Australia will doubtlessly fill the bill. This place is conveniently rid of the standard modern, clinical look and offers a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere with the meandering hallways and themed displays.

Its signature colonial-style walls house an eclectic combination of the old and the new, presenting some compelling pieces for people of all ages. Brush up on your knowledge of art history and allow your kids to learn about it on-the-go.

Hahndorf Exploration

By visiting this unique site you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the old-times ambience that’s characteristic for the area. This German settlement features a series of craft shops, pubs, bakeries and other distinguishable European specialties throughout the main street. Apart from its shopping and sightseeing potential, Hahndorf’s valley location also offers beautiful and soothing green surroundings your family will appreciate.

Dolphins at the Glenelg

Kids are invariably drawn to animals and wildlife of all kinds, and Glenelg seaside is sure to offer all of this in one place. Come here to swim with the playful dolphins (non-swimmers will get a flotation device!), chat with the sea lions or simply enjoy the coastal sights and fresh salty air.

If you’re eager to start your family vacation with one of these activities, it is good to know that you can now rent a free car and set off on a comprehensive and magical Adelaide spring-time family adventure. No matter if you’re leaning more towards the educational or the fun content, this selection of sites is certain to meet your preferences.

 

Images:

Elder Park

Haigh’s chocolates

Barossa Valley

Art Gallery

Hahndorf

Glenelg